5.0 Classification of Work

Issued: September 2004
Content last reviewed: April 2011

Disclaimer: This resource has been prepared to help the workplace parties understand some of their obligations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) and regulations. It is not legal advice. It is not intended to replace the OHSA or the regulations. For further information please see full disclaimer.

A key feature of this guideline is the classification of work. It is the classification of the work that determines the appropriate respirators, measures and procedures that should be followed to protect the worker from lead exposure. In this guideline, lead-containing construction operations are classified into three groups, Type 1, Type 2, and Type 3 operations, and can be thought of as being of low, medium and high risk. Some groups, Type 2 and Type 3, are further subdivided. From Type 1 to Type 3 operations, the corresponding respirator requirements, and measures and procedures become increasingly stringent.

The classification of typical lead-containing construction tasks is based on presumed airborne concentrations obtained from the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the Ontario Ministry of Labour, and published research studies. The classification of Type 1, Type 2, or Type 3 operations are grouped based on the following concentrations of airborne lead:

Type 1 Operations	Type 2 Operations		Type 3 Operations
Type 1 Operations	Type 2a	Type 2b	Type 3a	Type 3b
≤ 0.05 mg/m3	> 0.05 to 0.50 mg/m³	> 0.50 to 1.25 mg/m³	> 1.25 to 2.50 mg/m³	> 2.50 mg/m³

Type 1 operations

Application of lead-containing coatings with a brush or roller.
Removal of lead-containing coatings with a chemical gel or paste and fibrous laminated cloth wrap.
Removal of lead-containing coatings or materials using a power tool that has an effective* dust collection system equipped with a HEPA filter.
Installation or removal of lead-containing sheet metal.
Installation or removal of lead-containing packing, babbit or similar material.
Removal of lead-containing coatings or materials using non-powered hand tools, other than manual scraping or sanding.
Soldering.

* Effective implies that the dust collection system should be capable of controlling airborne lead concentration levels to below 0.05 mg/m³. Employers should follow manufacturer's recommendations and maintenance specifications for optimal function.

Type 2 operations

Type 2a operations

Welding or high temperature cutting of lead-containing coatings or materials outdoors. This operation is considered a Type 2a operation only if it is short-term, not repeated, and if the material has been stripped prior to welding or high temperature cutting. Otherwise, it will be considered a Type 3a operation.
Removal of lead-containing coatings or materials by scraping or sanding using non-powered hand tools.
Manual demolition of lead-painted plaster walls or building components by striking a wall with a sledgehammer or similar tool.

Type 2b operations

Spray application of lead-containing coatings.

Type 3 operations

Type 3a operations

Welding or high temperature cutting of lead-containing coatings or materials indoors or in a confined space.
Burning of a surface containing lead.
Dry removal of lead-containing mortar using an electric or pneumatic cutting device.
Removal of lead-containing coatings or materials using power tools without an effective dust collection system equipped with a HEPA filter.
Removal or repair of a ventilation system used for controlling lead exposure.
Demolition or cleanup of a facility where lead-containing products were manufactured.
An operation that may expose a worker to lead dust, fume or mist that is not a Type 1, Type 2, or Type 3b operation.

Type 3b operations

Abrasive blasting of lead-containing coatings or materials.
Removal of lead-containing dust using an air mist extraction system.

Employers, supervisors, and workers should be able to recognize and classify lead-containing operations in order to provide appropriate respirators, measures and procedures. Respirator requirements are listed in Table 1 for Type 1, Type 2, and Type 3 operations.

Table 1: Respirator Requirements

Operations	Required Respirator
Type 1 (0 to 0.05 mg/m³) Application of lead-containing coatings with a brush or roller. Removal of lead-containing coatings with a chemical gel or paste and fibrous laminated cloth wrap. Removal of lead-containing coatings or materials using a power tool that has an effective dust collection system equipped with a HEPA filter. Installation or removal of lead-containing sheet metal. Installation or removal of lead-containing packing, babbit or similar material. Removal of lead-containing coatings or materials with a non-powered hand tool, other than manual scraping and sanding. Soldering.	Respirators should not be necessary if the general procedures listed in Section 6.1 are followed and if the level of lead in the air is less than 0.05 mg/m³. However, if the worker wishes to use a respirator, a half-mask particulate respirator with N-, R- or P-series filter, and 95, 99 or 100% efficiency should be provided.
Type 2a (>0.05 to 0.50 mg/m³) Welding or high temperature cutting of lead-containing coatings or materials outdoors. This operation is considered a Type 2a operation only if it is short-term, not repeated, and if the material has been stripped prior to welding or high temperature cutting. Otherwise, it will be considered a Type 3a operation. Removal of lead-containing coatings or materials by scraping or sanding using non-powered hand tools. Manual demolition of lead-painted plaster walls or building components by striking a wall with a sledge hammer or similar tool.	NIOSH APF = 10 Half-mask particulate respirator with N-, R-or P-series filter, and 95, 99 or 100% efficiency.
Type 2b (>0.50 mg/m³ to 1.25 mg/m³) Spray application of lead-containing coatings.	NIOSH APF = 25 Powered air purifying respirator equipped with a hood or helmet, and any type of high efficiency filter. Supplied air respirator equipped with a hood or helmet and operated in a continuous flow mode.
Type 3a (>1.25 to 2.50 mg/m³) Welding or high temperature cutting of lead-containing coatings or materials indoors or in a confined space. Burning of a surface containing lead. Dry removal of lead-containing mortar using an electric or pneumatic cutting device Removal of lead-containing coatings or materials using power tools without an effective dust collection system equipped with a HEPA filter. Removal or repair of a ventilation system used for controlling lead exposure. Demolition or cleanup of a facility where lead-containing products were manufactured. An operation that may expose a worker to lead dust, fume or mist that is not a Type 1,Type 2 or Type 3b operation.	NIOSH APF = 50 Full-facepiece air-purifying respirator with N-, R-or P-series filter, and 100% efficiency. Tight-fitting powered air-purifying respirator with a high efficiency filter. Full-facepiece supplied-air respirator operated in demand mode. Half-mask or full-facepiece supplied air respirator operated in continuous-flow mode.
Type 3b (more than 2.50 mg/m³) Abrasive blasting of lead-containing coatings or materials.	NIOSH APF = 1000 Type CE abrasive-blast supplied respirator operated in a positive pressure mode with a tight-fitting half-mask facepiece.
Type 3b (more than 2.50 mg/m³) Removal of lead-containing dust using an air mist extraction system.	NIOSH APF = 1000 Full-facepiece supplied-air respirator operated in pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode.

* NIOSH APF = National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Assigned Protection Factor

Note: It is recommended that compressed air used to supply air respirators should meet the breathing air purity requirement of CSA Standard Z180.1-00 (View CSA standards). Where an oil-lubricated compressor is used to supply breathing air, a continuous carbon monoxide monitor/alarm must be provided.

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